National
MUBAS’ ABMA students protest demand for top-up examination fees on account of kwacha devaluation
Students pursuing various Association of Business Managers and Administrators (ABMA) degree programmes at the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) have protested the decision by the college management to demand examination fees top up from students who already paid the fees.
Students pursuing various Association of Business Managers and Administrators (ABMA) degree programmes at the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) have protested the decision by the college management to demand examination fees top up from students who already paid the fees.
This follows the decision by the varsity management to adjust examination fees to as high as K169, 000 per student due to what they called “devaluation of Malawi Kwacha”.
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Surprisingly, the students paid their examinations in September 2023 before the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) aligned the local currency with the United States dollar.
In a memo dated 14th November 2023, Centre Manager Dr. Andrew Chimpololo communicated to the students that the recent devaluation of the Malawi Kwacha had affected the fees, which each student needed to pay for ABMA examinations.
The fees are charged in British pounds. Chimpololo claims that the fees have not been remitted to ABMA despite the students paying the exam fees way before the kwacha alignment was effected.
“After calculations, all students sitting for the December examinations series are therefore required to top up their examinations as follows: ABMA Level 4=K131,250 (K26,250 per subject), ABMA Level 5 = K150, 000 (K30, 000 per subject) and ABMA Level 6 = K168, 750 (K33, 750 per subject). Please arrange to pay the shortfall by Tuesday, 28th November 2023,” reads the memo to the students.
But the students have put their feet down, challenging that they cannot pay for failure by the management to remit the examination fees to ABMA in time.
The students, who expressed disappointment and anger, wondered why the varsity management could choose to penalize them for their negligence.
“We are not paying any additional cost for the examination. Actually, we have communicated with the ABMA Board, which has assured us that the recent devaluation has had no effect on their examination fees,” said one of the students based in Lilongwe.
Meanwhile, the disgruntled students have obtained a demand letter from the court to force MUBAS to stop collecting additional examination fees.
Nthanda Times is yet to talk to the MUBAS management on this.
National
RBM Strengthens Blood Services with Tent Donation
The Reserve Bank of Malawi has donated four tents to the Malawi Blood Transfusion Service to facilitate blood collection activities. RBM representatives praised MBTS’s vital role in public health, emphasizing their commitment to community initiatives. The tents aim to enhance donor comfort and efficiency during mobile blood collection, addressing logistical challenges.
The Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting life-saving initiatives by donating four tents to the Malawi Blood Transfusion Service (MBTS) to enhance its blood collection activities.
Speaking during the handover ceremony at the MBTS Lilongwe Centre, RBM representative Boston Banda, speaking on behalf of the Governor, described MBTS as a “silent national hero” for its tireless role in saving lives through blood collection and transfusion services.
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Banda said the donation reflects RBM’s dedication to initiatives that positively impact communities in line with the Bank’s Corporate Social Investment Policy
“At RBM, we believe in contributing to causes that make a real difference in people’s lives. MBTS plays a critical role in safeguarding public health, and we are proud to be part of that effort,” he said.
Receiving the donation, MBTS Board Chairperson Elizabeth Gondwe expressed appreciation for the Bank’s continued partnership, noting that the tents will improve donor comfort and efficiency during mobile blood collection exercises.
She added that the donation would help the institution overcome logistical challenges that often hinder smooth operations during field blood collection
“These tents will provide comfort and protection to our blood donors, especially during outreach exercises where weather conditions can be harsh,” Gondwe said.
The central bank’s latest donation follows a previous contribution of branded T-shirts to MBTS, underscoring its continued partnership in promoting voluntary blood donation across the country.
National
UN Chief congratulates Mutharika on return to power, pledges continued cooperation
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has congratulated President Arthur Peter Mutharika on his return to power, pledging continued UN cooperation with Malawi on peace, human rights, climate action, and gender equality under his new administration.
The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has extended his warm congratulations to President Arthur Peter Mutharika on his inauguration as President of the Republic of Malawi, pledging continued collaboration between the UN and the Malawian Government on key areas of mutual interest.
In a congratulatory message, Guterres expressed confidence that the United Nations would continue to enjoy Malawi’s support on global issues including peace and security, human rights, climate action, and sustainable development.
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“I wish to convey my warm congratulations and best wishes to you on your inauguration as President of the Republic of Malawi. I am confident that the United Nations will continue to enjoy your support on issues of common interest,” Guterres wrote.
The UN Chief has also commended the election of Dr. Jane Mayemu Ansah SC as Vice-President, describing it as a positive step toward advancing gender equality and the political participation of women in Malawi.
“I applaud the election of Dr. Jane Mayemu Ansah as Vice-President and encourage further efforts by your Government towards gender parity at all levels,” Guterres stated.
Reaffirming the UN’s commitment to Malawi’s development, Guterres said the global body would continue supporting the government and people of Malawi in their pursuit of a prosperous future, through the work of the UN Country Team led by the Resident Coordinator.
President Mutharika, who was sworn in on Saturday, returned to the presidency following the 2025 elections, marking a significant political comeback.
National
MERA raises fuel prices by up to 33.16% effective October 1
MERA has raised fuel prices by up to 33.16 percent effective October 1, with petrol now at K3,499 per litre and diesel at K3,500, citing higher importation costs and exchange rate pressures.
The Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) has hiked fuel prices by up to MERA raises fuel prices by up to 33.16 percent, with new pump prices set to take effect on October 1, 2025.
Petrol will now sell at K3,499 per litre from K2,530 (a 38.3% increase), while diesel will go up to K3,500 per litre from K2,734 (a 28% increase).
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According to MERA, the price adjustment follows a sharp rise in landed costs of petroleum products, driven by a higher average market exchange rate of K2,350.00 per US dollar compared to the official rate of K1,751.00.
Board Chairperson Charles Kambauwa explained that although Free-On-Board (FoB) prices for petrol and diesel had dropped by 10.64 percent and 18.14 percent respectively, importation costs escalated due to freight, railage, insurance, handling, and in-transit losses.
“These factors increased In-Bond Landed Costs by 52.42 percent for petrol and 49.67 percent for diesel, pushing the changes beyond the ±5 percent trigger limit under the Automatic Pricing Mechanism,” Kambauwa said.
He added that the hike was necessary to ensure sustainable fuel supply and cost-reflective pricing.
The development is expected to raise transportation costs and put additional pressure on the cost of living, with economists warning of a fresh round of inflationary shocks.
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